Windshield cleaner



March 13, 1928.

J. X. PHILLIPS, JR

WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed Jan. 7, 1924 2 Sheets-Shag}. 1

x V a? Quorum March 13,1928.

J. X. PHILLIPS, JR

WINDSHIELD CLEANER Original Filed Jan. '7, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 gwvantoz atfoz 14911 Patented Mar. 13, 1928.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN X. PHILLIPS, SIB, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TBICO PRODUCTS CORPORATION, OF BUFFALO, NEW

YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

WINDSHIELD CLEANER.

Original application filed January 7, 1924, serial No. 684,823. Divided and this application filed August 5, 1925.

This invention relates to windshield cleaners and is a division of my copending application Serial No. 684,823, filed January 7th, 1924. p

In my copending application of which this application is a division, I have described and claimed a windshield cleaner motor having a casing provided with a movable member therein adapted to be moved alternately in opposite directions by differential pressure created in the casing on. opposite sides of the movable member. Valve mechanism, in accordance with the co-pending application of Frederick G. and VVillia-In M. Folberth, Serial No. 671,937, is provided for connecting the source of differential pressure alternately to opposite ends of the casing, and in accordance with my parent case means are provided for preventing actuation of the valve mechanism so as to permit of the movable member overriding its normal limit of movement by causing the continuous appl1 cation of fluld pressure to the movable member for urging the latter in one direct-ionof travel only. In my copending application 1' have also shown and described a windshield cleaner construction embodying a cleaner arm provided with a. wiper blade adapted to contact with the windshield glass and a cam carried by the windshield frame and adapted to contact with the cleaner arm when the latter passes its normal limits of movement, the windshield cleaner being adapted to be actuated by the motor construction referred to wherein the movable member therein is adapted to travel beyond its normal stroke under certain conditions to permit a similar action by the cleaner arm.

An important object of the inventlon is to provide a cleaner arm adapted to be moved to a horizontal position when the windshield cleaner is not in operation.

A further object is to provide means for movin the wiper blade away from the windshield glass to prevent distortion of the rubber blade when the device is moved to inoperative position.

In the accompanaying drawings, 1 have shown one embodiment of the invention. lin this showing:

Figure 1 is a central longitudinal sectional view through the motor cylinder,

Figure 2 is a central ertical transverse Serial No. 48,420.

sectional view showing the cleaner in position,

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view on line 33 of Figure 2,

Figure 4 is a plan view of the windshield and a portion of the cleaner,

Figure 5 is a detail view of a closure plate forming a part of the cleaner motor,

Figure 6 is a plan view of the cleaner motor, parts being shown in section,

Figure 7 is afront elevation of a portion of the windshield showing the normal movement of the cleaner and showing the movement of the cleaner when moved to an inoperative position,

Figure 8 is a. plan View showing the path of movement of the cleaner element, and,

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a cam by means of which the cleaner element is moved outwardly away from the window.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numeral 1 designates the casing of the motor, which, as shown may be cylindrical and which is provided with cylinder heads 2, arranged at opposite ends and retained in position by means of suitable fastening elements 3, received in openings in the ends of the cylinder. A pair of pistons are arranged within the cylinder and suitably spaced from each other. Each of the pistons consists of disks 5, formed of any suitable material, and a strip of suitable packing material 6 is arranged between the disks. The packing ma terial is of larger diameter than the interior diameter of the cylinder, forming a flange 7. The parts of the iston are secured to each other by means 0 a centrally arranged screw 8. A connecting member 9 is arranged between; the pistons and this connecting member is provided with inclined poi tions 10, adjacent each end. The ends of the connecting member are arranged at right angles to the bod portion, as indicated at 11, and are provi ed with suitable openlngs for the reception of fastening elements 8, whereby pistons are connected to each other and maintained in spaced relat1on. The body portion of the connecting member is provided with spaced openings 12, forming a rack for the transmission of power from the pistons.

The cylinder is provided with a relatively large opening arranged intermediate its ends. A closure plate 14 is adapted to be arranged over this opening. The closure plate is provided with openings 15, arranged adjacent each corner for the reception of suitable fastening elements which are received in openings in the flat faces of the cylinder opening. The closure plate is provided with an enlargement 17 on its inner face and is further provided with horizontally disposed ribs 18, extendin from each side of the enlargement. Con uits 19 are arranged on the exterior of the cylinder, the conduits communicating with transverse ports 21 in the ends of the cylinder. The inner ends of the conduits are beveled, as at 22, and the adjacent side faces of the closure plate and the ribs are beveled, as at 23, to

t the beveled ends of the conduits. The ribbed portions of the closure plate are provided with passages:24, adapted to register with the ends of the passages 19 and these passages in turn communicate with transverse passages 25, extending inwardly through the enlargement 17 to its inner face. Between the passages 25, there is provided a passage 26, which communicates with a vertical passage 27, extending to the bottom of the closure plate. The lower end of this passage is enlarged and threaded to receive a coupling 28. This coupling is provided with a valve seat adapted to be engaged by a valve 29. The coupling is provided with an inlet passage 31 and a flexible tube (not shown) is adapte to be arranged over the inlet opening to communicate with a suitable source of suction or pressure such as the intake manifold of an internal combustion engine (not shown).

A cleaner shaft 32 is arranged in an openmg in the closure plate and enlargement 17. As shown, the enlargement is provided with a sleeve 33, extending into the cylinder and the shaft extends through this sleeve. A plate 34 is secured to the shaft 32. This plate is arcuate shaped and is provided with teeth 36, adapted to mesh with the openin s 12 in the connecting member 9. Beyond t e shaft, the plate is provided with an angular portion 37, arranged over the sleeve 33. A handle 35 is arranged on the inner end of the shaft exteriorly of the casing to permit manual operation of the shaft. The sleeve is provided with a plurality of spaced lugs 38, arranged in pairs, as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings, forming a groove between them. A disk 39 is mounted over the sleeve, the disk being provided with a central opening, substantially the same size as the dlameter of the sleeve and being provided withrecesses to permit the disk to pass over the outer set oflugs 38 and be arranged in the groove between the lugs. The upper edge of the disk is provided with a reduced portion 42, forming shoulders 43, adapted to be engaged by the angular member 37. The

bottom of the disk is provided with an open-- ing, and the edge of the disk on each side of the opening is provided with cut-out portions 45. A substantially T-shaped arm 46 is operatively connected to the disk. As shown, the upper end of the arm pro vided with a pin 47, adapted to be received in the opening 44 invthc disk. The transverse arms 48 of the arm are arranged on one side of the disk in the same vertical plane with the inner set of lugs 38. The valve supporting member comprises a substantially U-shaped arm 49, having an opening 50 in its base portion for the reception of the lower end of the arm 46. The upper ends of this member are provided with circular portions 51, having openings adapted to loosely fit the sleeve A spring 53 is arranged over the arm 46 between the transverse portions 48 and the base of the valve supporting member 49. A valve stem 54 is mounted in a suitable opening in one of the arms of the valve supportin member and this valve stem carries a cup-shaped valve 55, adapted to fit over the end of the passage 26 and the end of either of the passages 25, as shown in Figure 6 of the drawings. A spring 57 is arranged around the valve stem to retain the valve in engagement with the face of the enlargement 17.

The shaft 32 projects a slight distance outside of the motor and is adapted to pass through a windshield frame 58. The windshield frame is of the usual construction and is adapted to receive and support a windshield 59 of glass or other transparent material. A cleaner arm 60 is secured to the shaft, the cleaner arm being preferably formed of resilient material to permit adjustment toward the face of the windshield.

QA retaining device 61 is arranged on the lower end of the cleaner arm and a cleaner member is mounted therein. The cleanermember consists of a backing strip 62 of metal or other rigid material and a flexible strip 63 of rubber or the like. On each side Of the shaft, the ClOSUl'G 'nlate. is provided with threaded openings 64, adapted to receive bolts 65 (see Figure 4) which pass through the windshield frame to support the motor casing.

In Figure 7 of the drawings, the cleaner element is shown in full lines at its limit of normal movement on one side of the center and is shown in dotted lines in a similar position on the opposite side of the center. In order to move the cleaner element to a substantially horizontal position, as indicated in Figure 7 of the drawings, the pistons are moved outwardly bevond lheir normal ath of reciprocatiom In Figure 1 of the drawings, the pistons are shown in a substantially central position and their normal limit of reciprocation is indicated in dotted lines, slightly spaced from the cylinder heads. When the pistons are moving in either direction, the sna over mechanism functions to shift the position of the valve 55 and causes the pistons to move in a reverse direction. In order to continue the movement in 'a given direction and move the cleaner element to the substantially horizontal position shown in Figure 7 of the drawings, the cylinder is provided with a boss or enlargement 66 is arran ed equidistant from the ends and t is boss or enlargement is provided with an opening. A pin 67 extends through this opening and the pin is provided with a handle 68 exteriorly of the cylinder. A transverse pin 69 may be arranged within the cylinder to prevent the pin 67 from becoming displaced. The pin 67 is ada ted to be projected, inwardly, as shown in igure 3 of the drawings, into the path of the U-shaped arm 49 to prevent movement of this arm from one side of the center to the other and thus prevent the automatic valve from being actuated. The pin may be rovided with a groove 70 in which the ase of the U-shaped arm engages. Additional means are provided for moving the cleaner element outwardly away from the window .as it moves upwardly to a horizontal position as indicated in Figure 8 of the drawings. A plate 71 (see Figure 92 is arranged on the exterior of the windshie d frame and this plate is provided with openin s 72 for the reception of the bolts 65. T e lower edge of the plate is provided with a flange 73 and cams 74 are formed on the opposite ends of the flange.

The normal operation of the device is the same as described in the copendin application of F. G. Folberth and W. Folberth, Serial No. 671,937, heretofore referred to. The motor is connected to asource of suction and the valve 55 is adapted to be shifted to alternately connect the inlet passage to either of the passages 25 and thus create diiferential pressure in the ends of the cylinder. The movement of the istons is transmitted to the cleaner shaft t rough the connecting member 9 and the segmental gear 34, normally moving the cleaner arm and cleaner element in an arc of a circle between the full line osition shown to the left in Figure 7 of the rawings and the angular dotted line position shown to the right. With the parts in the position shown in Figure 1 of the drawings, the pistons are moving toward the right and the se mental gear 34 is revolving in a counter-c ockwise direction. As this movement continues, the finger 37 engages the shoulder 43 tending to movie the disk in a counter-clockwise direction. As the disk moves, the upper end of the T-shaped member 46 is moved with it and the spring 53' is com ressed. When the disk and the upper en of the T-shaped means rides when move member 46 asses the center, the spring snaps the disli and pin to the angular 081- tion at the right shown in Figure 3' of the drawings- If the pin 67 is in a withdrawn position, the U-shaped arm 49 is then swung to a similar position at the left, moving the valve 55 from the position shown in Figure 6 of the drawings to a similar position, establishing communication between the inlet passage 26 and the left end passa e 25. This is the normal operation of t e cleaner. When the operator intends to stop the cleaner, the pin 67 is moved inwardly to the position shown inFigures 1 and 3 of the drawings. This does not interfere with the operation of the disk 39 or the T-shaped member 46 but when the parts assume the position shown in Figure 3 of the drawin s, at the end of a normal operating stroke, t e tension of the spring 53 tending to move the arm 49 is prevented from functioning b the pin 67 arranged in the ath of the U shaped member 49. The va ves remain in the same position and the pistons travel in the same direction until the head of the screw 8 engages the cylinder head 2. The cleaner arm is then moved upwardly to the dotted horizontal position shown in Figure 7 of the drawings. The valve 29 may then be cut off, if desired. When the cleaner is to be placed in operation again, the pin 67 is removed and the spring 53 immediately shifts the valve by moving the U-shaped arm connecting the opposite end of the cylinder to the inlet passage.

When the cleaner arm moves upwardly beyond its normal path of travel, it engages the cam 74 and rides over it. This moves the cleaner arm and cleaner element away from the window, as shown in Figure 8 of the drawings. When the pin 67 is placed in an operative position, the cleaner element is thus moved upwardly out of the" drivers vision and at the same time, the cleaner element is released from contact with the surface of the window, thus prolonging the life of the cleaner element. Y

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred exam le of the same, and that various changes in t e shape,

one of said elements reciprocating relative to the other, a wiper means reciprocable by the movable element, cam means adjacent one extreme limit of movement of said wiper means and on which a art of said wiper d thereover for relieving the wiping pressure of the wiper &

means on the windshield glass, automatic valve mechanism for reversing the application of operative fluid pressure at the end of each stroke of the movable element of said motor for operating the wiper means over a normal path of movement extending short of said cam means whereby said cam means will remain inoperative during normal operation of the wiper means, and means for arresting the operation of the valve mechanism at one end of the stroke of said movable element whereby the operating fluid pressure will continue to act on said movable element and move it beyond its normal path into contact with and ride upon said cam means so that said wiper means will be spaced from the windshield glass.

2. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a cleaner arm formed of resilient material connected to said shaft, a cleaner element carried by said arm and adapted to be retained under tension against the surface of a windshield to be cleaned, and a plate arranged adjacent said cleaner arm, said plate being provided with cam surfaces adapted to be engaged by the cleaner arm to space said cleaner element from the windshield.

3. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a cleaner arm formed of resilient material connected to said shaft, a cleaner element carried by said arm and adapted to be retained under tension against the surface of a windshield to be cleaned, and a plate secured to the windshield frame in the path of said cleaner arm, said plate being provided with cam surfaces adjacent each end adapted to be engaged by the cleaner arm when it travels beyond its normal path of movement to space said cleaner element from the windshield.

4. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a shaft oscillated by said motor, a cleaner arm connected to the shaft, a cleaner element carried by said arm, said arm being movable by said motor through a predetermined stroke between terminal positions and adapted to be moved by the motor beyond a terminal position, means operable to change the normal oscillatory driving force of the motor into a uni-directional force whereby the cleaner element and its arm will move beyond the specified terminal position, and means arranged to engage the cleaner arm beyond said specified terminal position for moving the cleaner element outwardly from the surface being cleaned.

5. An attachment for a windshield cleaner which embodies a cleaner element, an operating shaft therefor, and a cleaner arm su porting the cleaner element from the she t, comprising a plate designed for being mounted adjacent the cleaner arm and across which said arm moves back and forth, and spaced cam parts on said plate between which said cleaner arm may operate, said cam parts projecting from said plate to extend into the plane of operation of said cleaner arm whereby the latter may ride up either cam part to move the cleaner element outwardly.

6. In a windshield cleaner, a motor, a shaft driven by said motor, a cleaner arm formed of resilient material and connected to said shaft, a cleaner element carried by said arm and normally retained under tension against the surface of a windshield to be cleaned, said motor imparting a redetermined stroke to said cleaner arm an cleaner element be tween terminal positions, and a cam arranged beyond the normal limit of movement of said cleaner arm to raise the cleaner arm from the windshield surface when the arm moves beyond a terminal position.

In testimony whereof I alfix my signature.

JOHN X. PHILLIPS, Jre 

